edinburgh college - student elections 2014 candidate pack

Edinburgh CollegeAssociationStudents’

Candidate Pack2014 Full-time Officer Elections

Election Timetable2014 Full-time Officer Elections

Nomination PeriodThis is time to get your nomination form completed and get your five signatures.You should use this time to design your campaign poster/manifesto and get it to us!

Nominations open: Monday 31st MarchNominations close: Friday 2nd MayManifesto deadline: Friday 9th May


Campaigning PeriodTime to get out and talk to students about your ideas and convince them to vote foryou! Make sure you attend the briefing too (you’ll be emailed times and location).

Campaigning starts: Tuesday 6th May (Candidates’ briefing)Campaigning finishes: Friday 30th May

Voting PeriodIt’s all about getting students to vote for you now! Make sure you cover each ofthe campuses so that you can speak to each and every student.

Voting opens: Monday 19th MayVoting closes: Friday 30th MayResults announced: Friday 30th May

Thanks for your interest in running for election!We want you to be as supported as possible, so if there’s anything we can doto help you, please get in touch. Running for election can be a challenge, somake sure that you choose the right position, as you can only run for one!

Good luck for your campaign!The ECSA Team

If you need any assistance, get in [email protected]

Job DescriptionPresident


I want to be Student President because as president, I can:

● Represent and support all students and their views to ensure their voices are heard● Work with students in raising awareness on the issues students face, and provide information, support and guidance to them● Be a vital part of a ground breaking and supportive team● Work to promote all welfare, education, and community opportunities for students● Work with local and national community groups and organisations on student issues● Learn new skills and build my confidence● Work in partnership with students and the College in the strategic and operational planning of the association● Develop and promote opportunities to set and review policy by working with NUS Scotland and other organisations● Develop and maintain the charitable aims of the association● Promote and maintain the student engagement strategy

● Chair the trustee board to keep the association democratic and fair for all students

● Sit on relevant campus management committees and the College Board to be the voice of the students

● Support the development of the other executive officers and lead the work of the association to the benefit of all students

● Attend conferences and represent all students at national level

● Be part of the wider student movement

● Be the change

Job DescriptionVice-President (Women’s Officer)


I want to be Vice-President (Women’s Officer) as I can:● Represent and support all women students and their views on women’s issues

● Work with students in raising awareness against discrimination, harassment, childcare, community, and all other issues women students face

● Be a vital part of a ground breaking and supportive team

● Work to promote education and welfare opportunities to women students

● Work with the college and relevant community groups and organisations on raising awareness of women’s issues

● Learn new skills and build my confidence

● Provide training, support and information on women’s issues and welfare, for all students

● Promote and help build relationships with various women’s groups between the association, and local and national women’s organisations

● Support the development and activities of the students’ association

● Sit on relevant campus committees to be the voice of the students

● Support the development and work of the other executive officers

● Get to travel around all campus to gather vital feedback



● Have fun and meet new people

● Be the change!

Job DescriptionVice-President (Education)


I want to be Vice-President (Education) as I can:● Represent and support students and their views on their education, the curriculum and learning & teaching

● Work with students in raising awareness of all education and academic issues


● Work to promote employability and volunteering opportunities for students

● Work with local and national groups and organisations on education and academic affairs


● Provide training, support and information on education issues to students

● Develop and promote opportunities to set policy by working with NUS Scotland and other organisations

● Promote and oversee the representative structures for Class Reps at Edinburgh College

● Be a vital communicator for learner reviews, the student partnership agreement, and all other academic quality processes for students


● Sit on relevant education, academic and quality campus committees to be the voice of the students


● Get to travel around campuses to gather vital feedback



● Be the change!

Job DescriptionVice-President (Welfare & Activities)


I want to be Vice-President (Welfare & Actvities) as I can:● Represent and support students and their views on all welfare issues and student led activities

● Work with students in raising awareness of the issues students face while at college including advice on debt, mental health, sexual health, housing, family, drug & alcohol, and all other welfare issues


● Work to promote all welfare, sports and society opportunities for students

● Work with local community groups and organisations on welfare issues


● Provide training, support and information on various welfare issues to students

● Develop and promote opportunities to set up clubs and societies

● Promote and help build sponsorship for clubs, sports, societies with local community groups for students


● Sit on relevant campus welfare and activities committees to be the voice of the students


● Get to travel around campuses to gather vital feedback



● Be the change!

Your ManifestoHints & Tips


It’s important that you set out your vision for why you should be elected. This is done through a campaign manifesto, or campaign poster, that sets out your vision in a way that students can get to grips with.

We’ve included a manifesto from another election so that you can get an idea of how it’s done, but here’s some top tips:

● Be concise and use clear language. Avoid long, complicated words – you won’t win awards for being clever and you might just alienate important voters

● Type it out – you may be able to read your own writing, but can anybody else? Please ensure you use an easy to read font, like Arial or Times New Roman; text should not be smaller than font size 12

● Set out your goals for your time in office and ensure they are realistic & achievable – officers are answerable to the student body who might decide to ask why you’ve not managed to get free vending machines!

● Your manifesto is about you and not about your opponents. Avoid discrediting and disrespecting others as it is not professional and ultimately it could lead to a libel lawsuit!

● Be relevant. There’s not much point telling everyone you like cute bunny rabbits when you’re standing for VP Education! However, instances where you have shown leadership, tenacity, and tact would indicate to voters your suitability for the role

● Keep it to a maximum of one side of A4. They are the rules, and, after all, voters will want to read what you have to say and are likely to give up if you write the equivalent of ‘War and Peace’

● Be creative and inspiring. However, there are rules so make sure that you are not overstepping the mark!

Sample Manifesto

Edinburgh CollegeAssociationStudents’ If you need any assistance, get in touch!

[email protected]

Kellyfor

Women'sOfficerWhy I'm runningWe’ve had so many huge wins in the time I've served as a full-time President, Vice President and Women's O�cer in my association. It feels amazing to have been part of a movement that's had delivered so much for women:

The first full-time FE Women’s O�cer post in the UK - with funding for the future

The only college board in Scotland with fair representation for women

A complete overhaul of support for care leavers and looked after children, including Buttle UK accreditation and jointly signing the Who Cares? Scotland pledge

Winners of the College Student Association of the Year 2014 at the NUS Scotland Awards

Winner of Achievement of the Year (2013), shortlisted for Student O�cer and Inspirational Women of the Year (2013)

Created a sustainably-funded Association from scratch with intersectional liberation at its heart

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“We need someone not only to lead, but to inspire the next generation of women in our movement. Someone with a strong track record, someone who understands how hard it is on the ground, but can also be at the forefront with a megaphone to deliver on campaigns which change lives. There’s no person better to do that in our movement today than Kelly Parry.”Stacey Devine - NUS Scotland Women’s O�cer

kelly4WOscotkelly4WO

Fixing fundingChildcare and funding entitlement are huge issues for FE students, especially before and at the start of the year. The system is either a postcode lottery, or one bound by complicated Funding Council rules.

I’ll demand a complete review of FE funding to ensure that the system truly works for women - especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.

Women in STEMI have ensured our institution has a fully accountable measure for increasing women in STEM for this year and the future.

As Women’s o�cer I would lobby the Scottish Government to put the same measurable marker into EVERY institution’s outcome agreements.

IntersectionalityScottish liberation campaigns do the most amazing work, and I’m so proud to have been a part of them, but well-supported campaigns need resources. As Women’s O�cer, I’d campaign for any additional funding coming to Scotland to be allocated to liberation campaigns.

I’d also work with other liberation campaigns and allied organisations to host events and campaigns that are truly intersectional.

I will create intersectional safe spaces online, hold intersectional events, meetings and will run a national campaign to educate students on what intersectionality really means for students on their campus.

“I fully endorse Kelly Parry. If there’s one decision you make that will make a di�erence for women, then it has to be a vote for Kelly.”

Wendy SmithPresident, Fife College Students’ Association

AccessibilityI want to make the women’s campaign even more accessible as well as safe. A campaign that’s better communicated, with regular updates and safer online spaces.

We need a campaign that works across the country, with drop-in sessions that move around so the campaign is on your campus. It needs to develop advice and campaigns relevant to your needs, and it must be accessible to all women students - not just for sabbaticals and ‘engaged’ institutions.

As a single parent, I also know how di�cult it can be to attend events at weekends and evenings - that’s why I’d run events where students can feel comfortable bringing their kids along to participate in their own space.

Kelly4WO#

“Kelly just never fails to impress me, and so when it came to deciding who to back for NUS Scotland’s Women’s O�cer, there was no hesitation.”

Becky O’HaganPresident, Heriot-Watt Student Association

InclusivityThere must be a real e�ort to get more women into full-time and o�cer roles in their associations and in the NUS. We should run leadership programmes and implement fair representation, but we also need to educate the movement that women are valuable in leadership, politics and society. I want to continue the excellent work started by the campaign, expand it, and make it Scotland-specific.

As women’s o�cer I’ll empower women, not blame them. I’ll call out misogyny, and empower women to do the same.

ActivismOn our campuses we need the right tools to be able to keep women students safe. Whether it’s choosing not to play harmful music, ensuring your institutions take a Zero Tolerance approach to sexual harrassment and lad culture, or removing SWP rape apologists from campus - the campaign should be there to support you.

I’ve got a solid track record on my own campuses, and I’m proud to have spoken publicly at demonstrations on issues that disproportionately a�ect women.

As Women’s O�cer, I’ll continue to do this, whilst empowering a new generation of women to become active and be heard.

If you would like this document in an alternative format, get in touch!

Election GuidelinesNominations


● All Edinburgh College students can stand for election● You can only run for one post● You must have 5 signatures of other Edinburgh college students to support your nomination● Your form must be dated, signed and checked by a member of association staff● You will be expected to set up an individual appointment with the association manager to find out more about the post and how to make the most effective campaign● You will have the chance to create a manifesto which is a poster advertising yourself about why you want to run for election● The association staff will guide you on how to create this and will publish all manifestos on the association website

● On close of nominations, the association staff will post via social media, Moodle, and the ECSA website, a full list of the candidates running in the election, and details on how, and where to vote.

Election GuidelinesGetting ready to campaign


● Campaigning starts after the candidate briefing on the 6th May ● Campaigns must be conducted fairly and with respect for both the other candidates and the diverse student population● Slander, libel, sabotage or any other form of mal intent towards another candidate, on any platform, may result in you being disqualified from the election and your nomination will become void● You can receive a budget of £50 from the association to promote your election campaign – this is reimbursed on the production of receipts● You are not permitted to exceed this amount or spend any of your own money on your campaign - this is to ensure that no candidates can gain an unfair advantage over another● You are permitted to make your own campaign materials using materials openly available to all candidates i.e. cardboard. Be as creative as you like and don’t forget to have fun with it!● You will be permitted colour printed manifestos to distribute as you see fit across the campuses. The students association agree to meet the up-front cost of these flyers as part of your campaign budget - check the printing price list for info!

Election GuidelinesCampaigning


● You may use your own social media pages to promote your election. Where a candidate has an ECSA profile account on any social media sites, these cannot be used in connection to the elections

● To promote your campaigns fairly and in line with these guidelines, the College will also publish all candidate details and manifestos using College social media

● Campaigning should be kept to the public and social areas of the college campuses only. i.e not in the library.

● You must not bring in any ‘external’ campaigner - Edinburgh College students only!

● You will have the same privileges and restrictions as each other; no candidate can gain advantage from their position if they are already a team member. The use of the ECSA offices for the promotion of your campaign during the election period for existing team members is prohibited

● You are reminded that no offensive or derogatory election material shall be produced during the election by any candidate or their teams

● A lunchtime ‘Question Time’ will be held at each campus where you will present your personal manifesto and have the opportunity to answer student’s questions about why you want to run

● The times and venues of these will be made available at the candidates briefing.

● You are encourage to attend these wherever possible and will be granted an authorised absence from class in order to do so.

● If you cannot make it for any reason, you must inform the association staff wherever reasonably possible.

Election GuidelinesVoting


● The means of voting (i.e either paper ballot or electronically) will be advertised by the association prior to the voting opening as soon as reasonably possible.

● All eligible students may vote in the election upon the production of a valid College I.D. card or via valid electronic access.

● Votes shall be cast in sealed ballot boxes, or by electronic means where appropriate. All paper voting slips issued shall be placed in the sealed ballot box at the time of voting whether used or not.

● Ballot papers shall bear the name of each candidate, the position being contested and a suitable space for indicating the voting preference of the voter.

● As well as the candidates’ names, there will be an option on the ballot paper called RON. RON stands for ‘Re Open Nominations’ just in case students don’t want to vote for any candidates.

● If RON wins the election, it will be re-run at a later date but you may re-stand for election should this happen. The association staff can answer any questions you may have regarding RON.

● You or your campaign team are not allowed to be in the immediate vicinity of a voter when they are casting their vote so make sure you stick to your designated campaign area. You wouldn’t want to be disqualified at this stage!

● Once the voting has finished, the votes will be counted and the candidates contacted in person by the Returning Officer.

● Full results will be made public the following working day on close of voting.

Election GuidelinesComplaints


● Complaints will be dealt with in line with Section 9 of the formal ECSA Election Regulations (included in this pack)

● If you’d like to make a complaint about the conduct of another candidate, their campaign, election materials, etc. then these should made using the complaint form found in this pack

● Formal complaints must be in writing with supporting evidence, and should be sent to the deputy returning officer via the local ECSA offices before the close of voting

● Any complaints about the conduct of the count should be made formally to the Returning Officer within 24 hours of the result

● Where there is any ambiguity in procedures, those in the formal Election Regulations are primary

● The decision of the Returning Officer is final

Formal Regulations

Edinburgh CollegeAssociationStudents’ If you need any assistance, get in touch!

[email protected]

1. ELECTION REGULATIONS FOR SABBATICAL OFFICERS

1.1 General

1.1.1. The elections of the President and Vice-Presidents (together being the

“Sabbatical Officers”) and any other elected officers of the Association shall

be carried out in accordance with these regulations (the “Regulations”).

1.1.2 The Trustee Board shall appoint a Returning Officer, who shall not be a

member of the student body. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for

the good conduct of elections for one year.

1.1.3 The Elections shall be by secret ballot of all Ordinary Members of the

Association using the Single Transferable Vote system.

1.1.4 Where appropriate the Returning Officer may allow electronic voting to take

place in tandem with or instead of manual voting procedures.

1.1.5 In addition to the Regulations, the Association and all candidates shall be

obligated to comply with:

The College rules, regulations and policies (including but not limited to IT,

Health and Safety, bullying and harassment etc.)

Edinburgh College Students’ Association rules, regulations and policies

The laws of Scotland

1.2 The Returning Officer

1.2.1 The Returning Officer may appoint nominees to act on their behalf in the

day-to-day supervision of the Elections.

1.2.2 The Association’s administrative staff shall, in acting on behalf of the

Returning Officer, carry out the following functions:

oversee the procedure for the acceptance of nominations and the

determination and publication of valid nominations;

fix the date of the Elections which will be then ratified by the Trustee

Board, the publication of the notices giving information about the date of

the Elections and the arrangements for the Elections

supervise and conduct the count

oversee the announcement of the result

1.3 Nominations

1.3.1. Each Ordinary Member shall be eligible to stand as a candidate for an

Election.

1.3.2. The Sabbatical Officers may stand for re-election at the close of their first

tenure of office. The maximum period of office of Sabbatical Officer which

may be held by an individual candidate is two tenures, irrespective of

position.

1.3.3. A candidate may only stand for election for one post within the Student

Association election.

1.3.4. The Association administration staff will post a notice at least ten days of

College term-time before the date on which nominations open stating the;

period for nominations

posts for which nominations can be made

places from which nomination forms can be obtained

places to which completed nomination forms must be returned

1.3.5. Candidates must sign and date their nomination form and have the

signatures and student numbers of five students.

1.3.6. Candidates are encouraged but not required to submit a either a manifesto

or a poster no later than 7 days after their completed nomination form. All

manifestos and posters received will be collated and published by the

Association and will be available on the website and through College media.

1.3.7. On closing of the nominations, the Association administrative staff will

inspect all nominations and manifestos and verify that they comply with the

Regulations. Any irregularities will be reported to the Returning Officer.

1.3.8. The Association administrative staff will draw up a list of candidates after the

close of the nominations and will post a notice on the Association website as

soon as is reasonably practicable stating the date of the Election and the

arrangements for voting. The Returning Officer and the Association’s

administrative staff shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following the

publishing of the notice in terms of Clause 1.3.6, arrange a meeting at which

they shall brief the candidates on the Election process and procedure. All

candidates will be afforded an opportunity to ask questions relating to the

Election at the end of the briefing.

1.4. Campaigning

1.4.1. As soon as is reasonably practicable following the close of the nominations,

a list of valid nominations and manifestos/posters will be published and

distributed on the Association’s website and through College media.

1.4.2. The campaigning period shall start at the end of the candidates’ briefing at a

time announced by the Returning Officer and shall end at the close of voting.

1.4.3. Any coverage of the Elections by the Association by whatever means or

media shall be fair and balanced providing equal exposure to all candidates,

as far as reasonably practicable.

1.4.4. No money will be given up front to candidates. However each candidate will

have access to a small budget from the Association for canvassing

materials. The Association staff can access this budget on behalf of the

candidates on the production of valid receipts. No other monies shall be

spent on canvassing by the candidate. Full details on the finances shall be

confirmed at the candidates’ briefing. No offensive or derogatory election

material shall be produced during the campaign by any candidate.

1.4.5. The Returning Officer and their appointees reserve the right to remove any

election material which in their reasonable opinion is inappropriate.

1.4.6. “Q+A” sessions shall be held at a designated time following the candidates’

briefing and shall be chaired by the Returning Officer or a nominee.

1.4.7. Each candidate is encouraged to attend the “Q+A” sessions.

1.5. Election

1.5.1. The Elections for the Sabbatical Officers posts shall be held no later than the

31st May of each academic year.

1.5.2. In the event that following the proper conclusion of the Elections, at least one

post remains vacant; it shall be permissible to hold further elections with a

view to appointing candidates to assume such vacant posts. The decision as

to whether or not to hold such further elections shall be at the sole discretion

of the Returning Officer.

1.5.3. In such cases, any further election(s) must take place by the third Thursday

in November of the relevant year. The same procedure for nominations and

campaigning shall apply as set out in Clauses 1.3 and 1.4 of these

regulations except for the timing restrictions which shall be decided at the

sole discretion Trustee Board Officer.

1.6. Voting

1.6.1. Voting shall take place at the appropriate voting stations or electronically at

times to be determined by the Returning Officer.

1.6.2. The location and arrangements of voting stations and the list of candidates

shall be publicised on the Association web site and College media as an

absolute minimum as soon as is reasonably practicable.

1.6.3. Voting stations will be provided at all of the College Campuses and will allow

for a confidential ballot to take place. Where possible individual booths will

be erected and the area will be easily accessible and suitable to allow

students to cast votes in confidence.

1.6.4. Ordinary Members of the Association may vote upon the production of a

valid College I.D. card or via validated electronic access.

1.6.5. Votes shall be cast in sealed ballot boxes, or by electronic means where

appropriate. All paper voting slips issued shall be placed in the sealed ballot

box at the time of voting whether used or not.

1.6.6. Ballot papers shall bear the name of each candidate, the position being

contested and a suitable space for indicating the voting preference of the

voter.

1.6.7. There shall be an option on the ballot paper entitled “Re-Open Nominations”

(“RON”).

RON, for the purposes of the count, shall be treated as a candidate,

though it will not be allowed a publicity budget as allowed to the other

candidates in the Election in terms of Clause 1.4.4.

If RON wins the Election, then the Election shall be re-run at a date to be

determined by the Trustee Board.

In the event of a re-run of the Election RON shall not appear as an option

on the ballot paper.

1.6.8. Candidates and their supporters should not be in the immediate vicinity of a

voter when they are in the act of casting their vote.

1.7. Election Administration

1.7.1. The Returning Officer, a senior member of the Association’s administrative

staff and a representative from the College shall administer the count.

1.7.2. Candidates are allowed to be present at the count or may appoint a person

to observe on their behalf.

1.7.3. The Returning Officer and the Association’s administrative staff shall be

entitled to appoint polling officers and counters.

1.7.4. Voting papers will be declared spoiled by the Returning Officer if they

consider that:

there is no clear indication of preference for any candidate

the paper has not been stamped by the polling officer

the paper is not authentic

1.7.5. The votes shall be counted in accordance with NUS Scotland’s guidance.

1.7.6. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for announcing and publicising

the results of the Election both by way of the Association website and by any

other reasonable means or media they shall deem appropriate.

1.8. Candidates

1.8.1. Candidates already in office, on the Exec Team or Student Staff members

shall be given the same privileges and restrictions as the other candidates in

the Election.

1.8.2. Candidates may only benefit from what is openly available to all candidates.

1.9. Election Complaints and Appeals

1.9.1. The procedure for the consideration of complaints relating to elections shall

be as follows:

Formal complaints must be submitted in writing with any supporting

evidence to the Returning Officer.

The Returning Officer shall investigate any formal complaint within the

terms of the ECSA Complaints Procedure and decide what action shall be

taken, including but not limited to the disqualification of any candidate

concerned, or the annulment of the relevant election.

1.9.2. Disqualified candidates may appeal the decision of the Returning Officer in

writing to the College staff member appointed under 17.2 of the Constitution

who shall set up an appropriate appeals panel.

1.9.3. Options open to the Appeals Panel include but are not limited to;

upholding or dismissing the appeal

request a re-running of the election

1.10. By- Elections for Officers and Executive

1.10.1. If any of the above posts falls vacant before the 31st May then a by election

shall be arranged by the Returning Officer, following the Elections

Regulations as outlined.

Edinburgh CollegeAssociationStudents’2014 Full-time Officer Elections

Election Complaint Form

Name

Student Number

Email Address/Phone Number

Campus

Personal Details

Complaint DetailsPlease give a description of the incident with as much detail as possible, i.e. names, dates and location

Please specify which election rules were broken

What action would you like the Returning Officer to take?

Please return this form to your local Students’ Association office, or email [email protected]

Edinburgh CollegeAssociationStudents’2014 Full-time Officer Elections

Election Nomination Form

Post applied for

Name

Student Number

Course Title

Campus

Email Address

Mobile Number

SignatureI agree to adhere to the election regulations, whichwill be distributed to candidates with confirmations

NominationsStudent NumberSignature

Student NumberSignature




Please return completed forms to your local Students’ Association office by the 2nd May 2014You will be emailed to confirm your candidacy - please contact us if you do not recieve thisEmail [email protected] if you have questions or need any advice

Personal Details

edinburgh college - student elections 2014 candidate pack

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